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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN WOMEN,
HELD IN
ipm!aai^5S)5^MPia3.ia»
May IStli, 16th, ITth, and 18th, 1838.
-»>5<gBJi^-
PHILADELPHIA :
PRINTED BY MERRIHEW AND GUNN,
No. 7 Carter''s Mley.
1838.
PROCEEDINGS
ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION
AMERICAN WOMEN,
HELD IN
i?iiiam,iis)jina5?ii35iii.
May IStli, 16tli, 17 til and 18th, 1838.
PHILADELPHIA ;
PRINTED BY MERRIHEW AND C. UNN
No. 7 Carter's Mey.
1838.
E.P. d>iDev\aoltz.a.r-
MINUTES.
Proceedings of an JInti-Slavery Conventio7i of Women,
assembled from various parts of the United States, in
Pennsylvania Hull, in the city of Philadelphia, on
Tuesday, the \5th of May, 1838.
At 10 o'clock, A. M., the Convention was called to order.
On the nomination of a committee, appointed at a prelimi-
nary meeting, on Monday, May 14th, the following officers
were appointed:
MARY S. PARKER, of Boston, President.
Maria W. Chapman, of Boston, Mass.
Catharine M. Sullivan, do.
Susan Paul, do.
Mary A. W. Johnson, of Providence, R. I.
Margaret Prior, of the city of New York, [^
Sarah T. Smith, do.
Martha W. Storrs, of Utica, N. Y.
LucRETiA Mott, of Philadelphia, Pa.
Mary W. Magill, of Buckingham, Pa.
Sarah M. Grimke, of Charleston, S. C.
Anne W. Weston, of Boston, Mass.
Martha V. Ball, do.
Juliana A, Tappan, of city of New York,
Sarah Lewis, of Philadelphia, Pa.
Sarah M. Douglass, do.
, Vice
! Presidents.
Secretaries.
Treasurer.
Adjourned to meet in the same place at 4 o'clock, P. M.
Tuesday Afternoon, May 15.
The Convention was called to order at 4 o'clock, P. M.
The President then read the nineteenth Psalm, and offered
prayer.
On motion, the following persons were appointed a com-
mittee to prepare business for the Convention:
Sarah T. Smith, "]
Sarah R. Ingraham, j
Margaret Dye, J>New York.
Juliana A. Tappan, |
Martha W. Storrs, J
Miriam Hussey, Maine.
Louisa Whipple, New Hampshire.
Lucy N. Dodge, 1
Miriam B. Johnson, j , , ,
_, ,^r r^ > Massachusetts.
Maria W. Chapman, i
I
Catharine M. Sullivan, J
Harriet L. Truesdell,
Waity a. Spencer,
Mary Grew, "j
Sarah M. Douglass,
HTi > Pennsylvania.
ETTY JtSURR, ! ■^
Martha Smith, J
Angelina E. G. Weld, South Carolina.
On motion the credentials of the delegates were received
and read.
Hesolced, That this Convention adjourn to meet at 10 o'clock on Wednesday
nioniing, at such place as shall be irrocured by the Business Committee.
Wednesday Morning, May 16,
The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M.
in the Temperance Hall.
The 94th Psalm was read by the President and prayer
offered by Margaret Prior.
On motion, Sarah Pugh, Elizabeth M. Southard, Mary G.
Chapman, and Abby Kelly were appointed a committee
Rhode Island.
to confer with committees from the Pennsylvania State
Anti-Slavery Society, the Requited Labor Convention, and
the Managers of Pennsylvania Hall, in reference to the ar-
rangements for meetings during the week.
On motion, Rebecca Pitman, of Rhode Island, and Lucretia
Mott, of Pennsylvania, were added to the Business Com-
mittee.
Sarah T. Smith, on behalf of the Business Committee,
presented letters from the Female Anti-Slavery Societies of
Salem and Cambridgeport, which were read.
On motion of Juliana A. Tappan,
Resolved, That whatever may be the sacrifice, and whatever other rights may
be yielded or denied, we will maintain practically the right of petition, until the
slave shall go free, or our energies, like Lovejoy's, are paralysed in death.
Resolved, That for every petition rejected by the National Legislatui-e, during
their late session, we will endeavor to send five the present year; and that we
will not cease oui- efforts until the prayers of every woman within the sphere of
our influence shall be heard in tiie halls of Congress on this subject.
On motion, the business of the Convention was suspended
for a short time to give instructions to the committee ap-
pointed to make arrangements for the future meetings.
On motion of Mary Spencer,
Resolved, That we regard the right of petition as dear and inalienable, and so far
from discovering a dictatorial spirit, it is the refuge of the most humble and power-
less, and true greatness would never turn away from such appeals.
Mary Grew offered the following resolution,
Whereas, The disciples of Christ are commanded to have no fellowship with
the " unfruitful works of darkness;" and, whereas, union in His church is the
strongest expression of fellowship between men ; therefore.
Resolved, That it is our duty to keep ourselves separate from tliose churches
which receive to their pulpits and their communion tables, those who buy, w sell,
or hold as property, the image of the living God.
This resolution was supported by the mover, Lucretia
Mott, Abby Kelly, Maria W. Chapman, Anne W. Weston,
Sarah T. Smith, and Sarah Lewis ; and opposed by Mar-
garet Dye, Margaret Prior, Henrietta Willcox, Martha W.
Storrs, and Juliana A. Tappan, and was adopted.*
* Those who voted in the negative on the above resolution, fully concur with
their sisters, in the belief that slaveholders and their apologists are guilty before
Adjourned to meet in Pennsylvania Hall, on Thursday
morning, May 17th.
Thursday Morning, May 17.
The Convention was called to order, in the Pennsylvania
Hall, at 10 o'clock, A. M.
A portion of Scripture was read, and prayer offered by
the President.
Lucretia Mott made some impressive remarks respecting
the riot of the preceding evening, and exhorted the mem-
bers of the Convention to be steadfast and solemn in the
prosecution of the business for which they were assembled.
On motion of Margaret Dye,
Resolved, That the Anti-Slavery entei-prise presents one of the most appropriate
fields for the exertion of the influence of woman, and that we pledge ourselves, with
divine assistance, never to desert the work, while an American slave groans in
bondage.
On motion of Abigail B. Ordway,
fiesolved. That every mother is bound by imperative obligations, to instruct her
children in the principles of genuine abolition, by teaching them the nature and
sanctity of human rights, and the claims of the great law of love, as binding alike on
every member of the human family.
On motion of Mary Grew,
Resolved, That in view of the unparalleled sufferings of the slave, and also in
relation to the oppression of the nominally free people of color in the United States,
it becomes us, as women and as christians, to invoke the special aid of Almighty
God for the speedy deliverance of this people from their oppressors, in that way
which will most glorify Himself.
On motion of Henrietta Willcox,
Resolved, That in view of the exigencies of the times, and the loud call for
money to aid in the dissemination of truth, this Convention recommend to Female
Anti-Slavery Societies to take immediate measures for the formation of cent-a-week
societies, on the plan proposed by the Executive Committee of the American Anti-
Slavery Society.*
God, and that, with the former, Northern Christians sliould hold no fellowship ;
but as it is their full belief that there is still moral power sufficient in the church,
if rightly applied, to purify it, they cannot feel it their duty to withdraw until the
utter inefficacy of the means used, shall constrain them to believe the church totally
corrupt. Martha W. Storrs, Afargaret Prior, Elizabeth M. Southard, Margaret
Dye, Charlotte Woolsey.
* Persons wishing to obtain cards nnd tracts, and any information respecting the
system, are referred to Nathaniel Southard, 143 Nassau Street, New York.
On motion of Margaret Dye,
Resolved, That the system of American slavery is contrary to the laws of Grod,
and the spirit of true religion, and that the church is deeply implicated in this sin,
and that it therefore becomes the imperative duty of all her members to petition
their ecclesiastical bodies to enter their decided protests against it, and exclude slave-
holders from their pulpits and communion tables.
Adjourned to meet in the same place at 4 o'clock, P. M,
Thursday Afternoon, May 17.
The Convention was called to order at 4 o'clock, P. M.
The President read the 6th chapter of 2d Cor., and Sarah
M. Grimke offered prayer.
Sarah T. Smith, on behalf of the Business Committee,
presented an address to Anti-Slavery Societies, w^hich was
read and adopted.
On motion of Thankful Southwick,
Resolved, That it is the duty of all those who call themselves abolitionists to
make the most vigoroits efforts to procure for the use of their families the products
of free labor, so that their hands may be clean, in this particular, when inquisition
is made for blood .
Esther Moore made some remarks upon the importance
of carrying into effect the resolutions that had been passed.
Adjourned to meet in Temperance Hall on Friday morn-
ing at 9 o'clock.
Friday Morning, May 18.
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment at Tempe-
rance Hall, but found the doors closed by order of the
managers.* A member of the Convention offered the use
of a school-room, where the meeting was called to order at
10 o'clock, A. M.
The President read the 4th chapter of 2d Cor., and
prayer was offered by Juliana A. Tappan, and Mary E.
Smith.
♦ The Pennsylvania Hall having been burned by a mob, on Thursday evening,
and much excitement still prevailing, the managers of Temperance Hall, fearing for
the safety of their building, refused to open the doors.
8
On motion ol' Lucretia Mott, Angelina E, G. Weld was
appointed Vice-President.
On motion of Sarah R. Ingraham,
Resolved, That in view of the manifestation of public sentiment, as recently ex-
hibited in the outbreakings of a lawless mob, resulting in insult and abuse towards
all abolitionists, and personal injury to some of our colored friends, the case of the
latter be earnestly commended to God, and prayer be offered that He will redress
their wrongs, and protect them from the dangers to which they may be in future
exposed,
Sarah T. Smith, in behalf of the Business Committee,
presented an address to the free colored people of the United
States, and an address to the Senators and Representatives
of the free States in Congress, which were read and adopted.
Abby Kelly offered the following resolution, which was
adopted :
Whereas, A vast portion of the wealth of the North has accrued, and is still ac-
cruing, from the slave system, either directly in the holding of slaves, by Northern
citizens, or indirectly by our social and commercial intercourse with slaveholding
communities ; therefore,
Resolved, That we are very deeply implicated in the sin of using our brother's
service without wages, and of holding in our hands the gains of oppression ; conse-
quently it is our duty to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, by laboring devotedly
in the service of the spoiled, and by contributing with unsparing liberality to the
treasury ot the slave.
On motion of Sarah M. Grimke,
Resolved^ That prejudice against color is the very spirit of slavery, sinful in those
■who indulge it, and is the fire which is consuming the happiness and energies of the
free people of color.
That it is, therefore, the duty of abolitionists to identify themselves with these
oppressed Americans, by sitting with them in places of worship, by appearing
with them in our streets, by giving them our countenance in steam-boats and stages,
by visiting them at their homes and encouraging them to visit us, receiving them as
we do our white fellow citizens.*
On motion of Sarah M. Grimke,
Resolved, That those of our Southern brethren and sisters who feel and mourn
over the guilt of slavery, while circumstatices impose on them the necessity of re-
maining witnesses of its evils and its liori-ors, are entitled to our sympathy and
prayers, and that we encouragj; them to walk with weeping and supplication before
God, that His judgments may be averted from our beloved country.
*Not unanimous — a number voted in the negative, believing that a resolution
couched in such phraseology, might, by being misapprehended, injure the abolition
cause.
On motion, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That in this Convention, met together to consider the solemn subject
of American slavery, it is cause of grateful acknowledgment that sectarian feeling
has been so far laid aside as to enable us to meet together as Christians, and we re-
commend to ail similar bodies to keep in mind, that sects are no part of the glorious
gospel of Christ, but that love to our fellow men is the test of religion. " Whoso
dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him."
The following resolution was offered by Sarah M. Grimk^
and adopted:
Resolved, That we hail with joy the triumphant success of immediate emanci-
pation in the islands of Antigua and Bermuda, which has been most forcibly set
forth in the journal of Kimball and Thome. We recommend this work to the
perusal of Americans, as calculated to remove every objection to the fundamental
principles of abolitionism, and to strengthen every one who is laboring for the
slave's redemption.
On motion of Angelina E. G. Weld,
Resolved, That did we need other stimulus than the example of Him who came
to preach deliverance to the captive, we possess it in the disinterested and untiring
efforts of our sisters across the Atlantic, in this sacred cause, and in the success that
has crowned them.
Resolved, That the voice of joy and freedom as it rings u[) from tlie British
West Indies, and resounds through our land, is a triumphant proof of the safety of
immediate emancipation ; and, while it inspires us with confidence, should so attune
our spirits to gentleness and love, that the most obdurate may be moved by our
entreaties, and the most captious find nothing to blame.
Catharine M. Sullivan offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Believing the principles of the Anti-Slavery cause to be identical with those on
which the whole gospel rests, and that the constant and vigorous propagation of
them will equally advance the kingdom of Christ, in the hearts and outward lives of
men ; therefore,
Resolved^ That we increase our efforts for the spiritual and temporal salvation
of the slave, knowing that such labors will involve the salvation of the master, the
good of our own souls, the general promotion of peace, moral reform, temperance -,
the circulation of the Scriptures, the education of youth, and the exaltation of our
country to so high a standard of morals and religion, that its example shall go forth
unto all the eailh and recommend the gospel to every creature.
Juliana A. Tappan offered the following resolution, which
was adopted :
Inasmuch as all human efforts in this cause must prove utterly ineffectual, unless
attended by the special blessing of God ; therefore.
Resolved, That this Convention recommend fasting, humiliation and prayer, that
a cloud of supplication may thus ascend in unison that the captive may be speedily
2
10
/
delivered, and all llie objects contemplated \>y oiii- tilbrts may be achieved by tlit
interposition of that " arm that moves the world."
On motion of Sarah M. Grimke,
Resolved^ That we regard the insult and scorn, manifested on our leaving the
Hall on the 16th instant, as identical with the spirit of slavery at the South, and
the spirit exhibited by the Reform Convention, who have recommended that the
people of Pennsylvania should wrest from the free people of color the right of
suffrage.
On motion of Angelina E. G. Weld,
Resolved, That we have heard, with grief and shame, of the burning of Penn-
sylvania Hall, last evening, but rejoice in fulness of hope that God v ill overrule
evil for good, by causing the flames which consumed that beautiful Hall, dedicated
to virtue, liberty, and independence, to light up the fires of freedom on every hill-
top and in every valley in the state of Pennsylvania, and our country at large.
On motion of Sarah T. Smith,
Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns, it a<ljourn to meet in this city
in May, 1839.
On nomination of the Business Committee, Mary Grew,
Susan Haydock, Sarah Pugh, and Anna M. Hopper, were
appointed a Committee on Publications.
On motion.
Resolved, That the Addresses that have been adopted by this Convention, ils
Proceedings, kc, be published under the direction of the Committee on Publica-
tions.
On motion.
Resolved, That the dele!.^alcs from different states be now called upon, in ordei'
to pledge sums on behalf of their respective societies, to defray the expenses of the
Convention.
11
The following pledges were then made:
SOCIRTIES.
Portland, Maine,
Concord, N. H.,
Boston, Massachusetts,
Salem, "
Lynn,
Danvers, "
Concord, "
Andover, ''
Weymouth, "
Leicester, ''
Uxbridge, "
Haverhill, "
Amesbury, '<
Smiihfield, R. L,
Providence, ''
Pawtucket, «
New York City, New York,
New York Fem. Wes., «'
New York Union, '■'
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Phila. Fern. Wes., «'
Phila. N. Liberties, "
Phila. Leavitt, "
Phila. Penn Township, "
Clarkson, Chester co., '<
Kennett, '«
Kimberton, «
Uwchlan, <■
Montgomery co., '*
Frankford, "
Buckingham, «
Delaware co., "
West Chester, '■
j INDIVIDUALS.
10 00, Abby Kelly, for Milbury, Mass.,
10 00; Esther Carpenter, West Chester
25 OOl CO., N. Y.,
5 OOjEUen Smith, Franklin co.. Pa.,
15 00 Sarah T. Smith, tor N. Jei'sey,
5 00 Rachel Bassett, for Delaware, '
11 00 Abby Kelly, foi- Norwalk, Ohio,
5 00 Eliza Philbrick, for Cincinnati
10 00 Ohio,
3 OO.S. M. Grimke and A. E.G.Weld,
5 00 for S. Carolina,
5 00 Sarah R. Ingraham, for St. Louis,
5 00 Missouri,
5 00 Mary Huddleson,
15 OOl Eliza Yarnall, Phila., Pa.,
5 OOjane Bousted, "
25 flOjThankful Southwick, for Danvers
" 50; Society,
5 00
25 00
5 00
5 00
5 00
5 00
10 00|
10 00
5 00
5 00
5 Od
5 00
10 00
5 00
5 00
Total,
From Societies,
$300
5 00
2 00
5 00
2 00
3 00
5 00
10 00
2 00
1 00
2 00
] 00
5 00
i 46 00
281 50
327 50
Total, 31281 501
On motion,
Resolved, That this Convention tender their thanks to those friends in Phila-
delphia, whose kind hospitalities have been extended to them, on this deeply in-
teresting occasion .
A part of the 37th psalm was then read, and prayer offer-
ed by Lucretia Mott, Margaret Dye, and the President; and
at 45 o'clock, P. M., the Convention adjourned to meet in
Philadelphia, in May, 1839.
MARY S. PARKER, President
Anne W. Weston, "j
Martha V. Ball, ! . .
^ * rr^ y Secretaries.
Juliana A. Iappanj i
I
Sarah Lewis, j
\2
LIST OF DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION.
MAINF,.
Irena Treadwell, JV
"W To
^k Ci
Uuth Hussey, Portland.
Juliana A. Tappan,
do.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Susan A. 'I'appan,
do.
Louisa Whipple, Concor
(1,
Ursula M. Penniman,
do.
RHODE ISLAND.
Mary Dimond,
do.
Mary A. W. .lohnson, P
'ovidence .
Elizabeth M. Southard,
do.
Mary E. Smith,
do.
Margaret Prior,
do.
Rebecca C. Pitman,
do.
Charlotte Woolsey,
do.
Mary W. Flagg,
do.
Margaret Dye,
do.
Harriet L. Truesdell,
do.
Lucy Anne William
s,
do.
Waity A. Spencer,
do.
Dorcas W. Bell,
do.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Catharine Martin,
do.
Catharine M. Sullivan, Boston.
Martha W. Storrs,
Utica
Susan Paul,
do.
Emily C. Shu m way
, Palmyra.
Mary G. Cliapman,
do.
PEJJNSYLVAXIA.
Mary S. Parker,
do.
Lucretia Mott, Phi
ladelpt
ia.
Lydia L. Fuller,
do.
Esther Moore,
do.
Eliza I'hiibrick,
do.
Sidney Ann Lewis,
do.
Anna R. Philbrick,
do.
Sarah Pugh,
do.
Abby Southwick,
do.
Lydia White,
do.
Sarah H. Southwick,
do.
Elizabeth K. Dorsey
, do.
Luc)' Chester,
do.
Mary Grew,
do.
Martha V. Ball,
do.
Sarah Lewis,
do.
Abigail B. Ordway,
do.
Mary Needles,
do.
Anne Warren Weston,
do.
Sarah M. Douglas,
do.
Thankful Southwick,
do.
Harriet D. Purvis,
do
Maria W. Chapman, IVi
'ymoiitli.
Hannah Wharton,
do
Mary Spencer, Salem.
Mary Townsend,
do.
Lucy N. Dodge, do.
Jane Bousted,
do.
Eliza J. Kenny, do.
Huldah Justice,
do.
Laura H. \^o^e\\. Fall R
iver.
Ljdia Giliingliam,
do.
Abby Kelly, J^ynn.
Hetty Reckless,
do.
Miriam \i. Johnson,
do.
Susan Grew,
do.
Eleanor .lohnson,
do.
Grace Douglass,
do.
Hannah .\lley,
do.
Hetty Burr,
do.
Abigail L. Breed,
do.
Elizabeth Bunting,
do.
Elizabeth L. B. Stickney,
JVeU'burypor
. Rebecca Hawkins,
do.
Hannah L. Stickney,
do.
Hannah P. Ellis,
do.
Sarah Winslow, Danveis
Mary P. Egan,
do.
Emily A. Winslow, do.
Rachel M. Pierce,
do.
Mary M. Brooks, Concord.
Tacy W. Blakey,
do.
Caroline D. Brooks, do.
Elizabeth Henley,
do.
Agnes Smith, Andover.
Ann J. Smith,
do.
Sarah G. Little, Marshfield.
Mary Ann Foulke,
do.
Marcia Phillips, do
.
Elizabeth F. Ellis,
do.
NEW YORK.
E. J. Gillingham,
do.
Sarah R. Ingraham. .AV?/
■ To7'k City.
Anna Pryor,
do.
Mira Hill,
do.
.Martha Bunting,
do.
Rebecca E. Bell,
do.
Ruth Harding,
do.
Abby H. Gibbons,
do.
Hannah Purnell,
do.
Rebecca B. Spring,
do.
Alaria Btmdy,
do.
Sarah T. Smith,
do.
Elizabeth Colly,
do.
Heniietta Willeox.
do.
Mary Nelson,
do
13
Esther Ann Fussill, Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Krip, do.
Ann E. Sellers, Delaware Comity.
Naomi Rhoads, do.
Anna Poole, do.
Euphrosyne Sellers, do.
Louisa Sontflg, do.
Mary Ann Khoads, do.
Sarah W. Rhoads, do.
Ann Sellers, do.
Alice Sellers, do.
Jane Sellers, do.
Abigail S. Garrett, do.
Mary Sellers, do.
Jane .VI core, do.
Mary C. Sellers, do.
Rachel VV^atson, JVliddletown, Bucks Co.
Elizabeth Paist, do.
Mary Hiiddleson, do.
Aclisah Janney, Lotvev JlTakefielii.
Ann Buckman, do.
Sarah Beans, do.
Francenia Janney, do.
Letitia Janney, do.
Martha Smith, Buckingham.
Mary Johnson, do.
Jane Smith, do.
Mary VV. Magill, do.
Hannah Loyd, do.
Ann J. Paxson, do.
Elizabeth H. Belts, do.
Tacy Parry, do.
Mercy Elj', do.
Harriet P. Johnson, do.
Elizabeth Ely, do.
Mary Beans, do.
E. VVhitelock, Frankford, Phila. Co.
Elizabeth Pickering, do.
A. L. Gillingham, do.
Naomi Murphy, do.
Mhry P. New bold, do.
Susan Roberts, do.
Harriet B. Gazzam, Pittsburg.
Beulah Moore, Chester Co^mti/.
Beulah Preston, do.
Rachel B. Moore, do.
Sarah Williams, do.
Alice E. Ilambleton, do.
Ann Preston, do.
Ann Moore, do.
Mary T. Jackson, do.
Deborah S. Coates, do.
Jane Moore, do.
Esther Fulton, Chester County.
Sarah Hambleton, do.
Rest E. Lamborn, do.
Ruth Hambleton, do.
Hannah Cox, Kennet, Chester Co.
Mabel Pyle, do.
Dinah Mendenhall. do.
Sarah Huey, do.
Eliza Phillips, do.
Sarah T. Harvey, do.
liachel P. Lamborn, do.
Mary Harlan, do.
Susan H. Burnett, do.
JNIary Pugh, do.
Sarah Ann Pyle, do.
Lydia M. Fussill, do.
Haimah M. Darlington, do.
Hannah Havraor, do.
Phebe M. Way, do.
Mary I'hillips do.
Lucretia Fleming, West Cheater.
Phebe Darlington^ do.
Hannah Covington, do.
Henrietta Simmons, do.
Gertrude Kimber, Kimherton.
Esther Haw ley, do.
Mary Ann Lewis, do.
Grace Anna Lewis, do.
Abigail Kimber, do.
Lydia M. Fussell, do.
Sarah Trimble, Uwchlan.
Anna Vj. McKinley, do.
!Mary H. Vickers, do.
AnnaT. Giordon, do.
Anna Fulton, East Fallowfield.
Mary Lukens, jr., do.
Susan Fulton, do.
Mary Ann Peirce, do.
Esther Fulton, do.
Sarah Naylor, do.
Sarah Hagerty, Colerain, Lane. Co.
Lydia Rakestraw, do.
Elizabeth Kent, do.
Catharine R. Rinewalt, Schuylkill.
Sarah H. Coates, do.
Hannah Adamson, do.
Hannah Rinewalt, do.
Rachel H. Jones, Montgomery Co.
Hannah Corson, do.
Hannah Adamson, do.
Caroline Jones, do.
Elizabeth M. Jacobs, do.
Marv Ann H. Thomas, do.
ToT.\L, •208.
14
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Amelia A. Bowen, fVoodstock, Conn.
Harriet A. Biu-leigii, Stonin!iton,Conn.
Maria M. Xewhall, Lynn, J^lass.
C. Blacktbnl,.\'. York city, M F.
Mercy Smitli, do.
Sarah E. Peirce, do.
Susanna A. Tappan, do.
Elizabctii S. Lane, do.
Esther Laing, do.
Estlier Carpenter, JJ'est Chester.
Mary S. T\\ovn,J\/''eiv Jersey.
Mary C. Pennock, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mary Earle, do.
Olive Bacon, . do.
Hannah W. Ellis, do.
Teressa J. Kimber, do.
Susan Haydock, do.
Anna M. Hopper, do.
Cathai'ine G. Siiove, do.
Sarah C. Fawcett, do.
Anna G. Eckstein, do.
Jane Smith, do.
Deborah P. Shaw, do.
Ann W. Longstreth, do.
Elizabeth J. Neall, do.
Mira Orum, do.
Margaretta Randolph, do.
Rebecca J. Sellers, do.
Sarah Pennock, do.
Elizabeth Bingham, do.
Sarah McGrummell, do.
Mary Shaw, do.
Sarah Shaw, do.
Rebecca Shaw, do.
Beulah Lower, do.
Sarah Pepper, do.
Maria Pearson, do.
Susan \V. Shaw, do.
Tor
Estlier Lower, Phi
ladelphia
Agnes Cook,
do.
Ellen Quinby,
do.
Mary Ann Jackson,
do.
Frances M. Avery,
do.
Elizabeth T. Garrigiu
s, do.
Mary R. Jackson,
do.
Mary S. Clement,
do.
Anna M. Townsend,
do.
Susan F. Porter,
do.
Sarah B. Melville,
do.
Rachel Clendenen,
do.
Rachel Beans,
do.
Ann B. Percival,
•do.
Miriam C. Worrell,
do.
Rebecca S. Brooks,
do.
Keturah Hammer,
do.
Martha R. Ellis, Chester County.
Martha Stackhouse,
do.
Rachel Ann Lamborn,
do.
Phetie Hadley,
do.
Sarah Ely,
do.
Sarah Purvis,
do.
Sarah B. ^lelvin,
do.
Elinor Smith,
do.
Ann S. WhitsoD,
do.
Sarah S. Bucks,
do.
Leah Fell,
do.
Margaretta Jacobs,
do.
Sarah S. P.iul,
do.
Abby Bowman,
do.
Ann Evans,
do.
Sarah A. Speakman,
do.
Esther Hayes,
do.
liachel Bassett,
do.
Sarah M. Grimke, Charleston, S. C.
Angelina E. G. Weld
do.
APPENDIX.
To TiiJE Axti-Slayert Conventiox of Americas^ Women : —
Dear Slstei'S: — With the deepest emotions of gratitude to our Almighty Father,
we congratulate you upon your assemblage, for the second time, as a Convention.
While we rejoice in the wisdom and love that we trust will overshadow you in your
deliberations, we cannot but contemplate with awe the sublime results that may
emanate from your councils.
Arduous and responsible labor is before you: — the iron shackle that drags
heavily along the plains of the South, and the golden fetter hugged by so many of
our sex, arc alike to be broken '.
And this allegiance to Truth and unfaltering trust to its power of guidance, is to
yourselves an emancipation act : from the servile degradation of ages, you arise in
the moral accountability and dignity of womanhood, and at the feet of Jesus, imbued
with the uncompromising spirit of his teachings, declare tiie truths that have made you
free ! Thus strong in the freedom of his giving, true to the faith of his sustaining,
the applause or coTitumely of the world is hushed by the overpowering presence of
the '' still small voice." Eartlily ambition vanishes, before the glorious smile of an
appi'oving God ; and worldly policy dares not seek an entrance where it is met at
every corner by the " Haming sword" of truth.
Our whole souls are with yours at this eventful time, and we would fain all join
the delegation that leaves us to be with you at this glorious era — to move in con-
cert upon these first waves of a mighty revolution that is to sweep away the strong
foundations of prejudice and custom. We feel an assurance that the same unflinch-
ing stand of principle, the like unshaken determination of action, which characterized
your measures a year since, will mark your decisions at the present lime. May
the Father of light and love be in your midst; then, indeed, all will be well.
On behalf of the Providence Female Anti-Slavery Society.
Eliza J. Davis, Cor. Secretary.
To THE Anti-Slavehy Ccnvextion of American Women : —
Dear Sisters: — We congratulate you on your meeting together again, and would
express to you our deep thankfulness to Him who has permitted you thus to assem-
ble from the North and from the South, from the East and from the West. We
assure you, dear sisters, we feel at the present time more than ever impressed with
feelings of gratitude. We are conscious that the guidance of Him who has declared
himself to be the "friend of the friendless and the faint," has been over you, from
the unparalleled success that has crowned all your efibrts in the cause of the op-
pressed.
16
We would tlial we could all be witii you — but tlioiigh we may not sit in ) our coun-
cils, nor listen to the words of encouragement as they fall from your lips, yet our
hearts shall be with you, and in our small measure we will be "constant in prayer"
that you may be guided by wisdom from on liigli — that your passions may be un-
der the control of reason, and that in the midst of your assemblies you may feel
the presence of one whose mission on earth was, " liberty to the captive."
We have remembered that emancipation is not confined to the release of the
millions in our Southern States who breathe the breath of wretchedness and despair;
nor is it limited to the thousands in the West Indies who are suffering oppression
from their brethren's liands — but from the Arctic to the Antarctic — from the At-
lantic to the Pacific — wherever the clank of the chain is heard, wherever the sigh of
the prisoner floats on the air — there does our cause extend, there must our philan-
thropy penetrate — and who shall say that we are not laboring for the happiness of
millions yet to be!
For the encouragement of those new converts who may chance to be with )'0U,
we would say that the more we have been engaged in this glorious work, the more
we have felt our hearts inclined to the relief of the " poor and the needy" and our
ears opened to the ''cry of those that have no helper" — and we have been brought
to feel more keenly the awful amount of guilt and crime with which our earth is
filled.
Surely woman must 7ioiv arise, in all her dignity and kindliness, to stay
the sword of the angel that is near to avenge the red and the black man's wrongs I
May the Lord be with you and bless you — may you be strengthened to plan a
nobler work than ever fell to woman's lot to describe!
Let your watchword be liberty and love, and your banner pure and spotless vir-
tue. May you live to see the approach of that day when man shall no more raise
his hand against his brother, when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together,
and there shall be none to dig about the walls of Jerusalem. "Then shall your
light break forth as the morning and }our health shall spring forth speedily — and
your righteousness shall go before you — and the glory of the Lord shall be your
rereward."
On behalf of the Salem (Ms.) Female Anti-Slavery Society.
Your faithful coadjutors in Freedom's cause.
Mart Spencer, Cor. Secretary.
Extracts from a Letter from the Cambridgeport Female ^flnti- Slavery Society^
To THE Akti-Slavery CoNVEivTioif OF Americax Womex:
***** * — At an Anti-Slavery meeting a clergyman, who had travelled
South, said he was forbidden, when there, to preach to slaves: a slaveholder said to
him, it is not safe for the slaves to be enlightened, he could not permit them to hear
the sermon upon the mount, and said that the precept, " Whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them," would open their eyes to
their situation, "Therefore I forbid you to preach to them.'' This clergyman ob-
served that they could not be taught the Lord's prayer without witnessing its de-
nial all around them. What an avowal is this of the bondage of both master and
slave ! The sermon upon the mount would create insurrection I Truly the di\ine
17
aspira(.ions commencing, " Our Father who art in Heaven," [that Father who hath
made of one blood all nations of the earth, and commanded all to love as brethren)
are virtually denied.
We should be unjust to our feelings, did we not take this opportunity to tender
our grateful tribute of respect and love to those friends of humanity. Misses Sarah M.
and Angelina E. Grimke, for their noble exertions in our vicinity the past year;
we think many a Felix has trembled, and many a jailor, himself in bonds, has cried
out " What shall I do to be saved ?"
There are those, and the number is neither few nor small, who think that slavery
is a political affHir, and women have no concern in it ; but deluded or callous must
be that heart which acknowledges that woman inflicts an injury, but should be
powerless in redressing it. "We have not so learned Christ !" We tiiink that to
woman is committed the precious trust of rearing our lawgivers; as she is pure
and elevated, so may she infuse her spirit into the laws of her country , and heaven
gi-ant that politics may not be another name for corruption. When statesman and
philanthropist, philanthropist and statesman, are identical terms, then may we
hope that " righteousness will flow down our streets, and prosperity be within our
walls." May the women of this country so purge their hearts of all ambitious
views, of all selfish aims, as to be fit and honored instruments for doing the Lord"s
work ; and to be able to say : " Not unto us, O Lord, but to thy name b e glory."
May we so learn Christ that, in the spirit of his might, we may "bind uj) the broken-
hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them
that are bound ; give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." To the ladies of the Anti-Slavery
Convention we say, may God guide your counsels, and may you do all to his
glory.
On behalf of the Society,
L. WiLL.4Rr, Cor. Secretary.
To THE AnTI-SlAVERT CONVENTIOX OF AMERICAN WOMEJf :
Respected and clearly beloved Sisters : — As existing circumstances prevent the
attendance of delegates from our Society, we take this method of expressing the
deep interest we feel in the holy cause that has called you together. Our numbers
are few and our eftbrts comparatively feeble, yet we have been induced to cast in
our mite, hoping it may prove like the widow's of old.
Our Society was organized in the summer of 1835, and consists at Y)rcsent of
about two hundred members, who, we trust, endeavor to "remember those that are
in bonds as bound with them."
As we feel a great reluctance to partake of the products of slavery, it is w ith no
small interest we have read a call for a Convention for the consideration of that
subject, and pledge ourselves heartily to unite our exertions to promote the use of
free goods.
On behalf of the Peru Female Anti-Slavery Society,
Ruth H. Keese, Secretary.
18
Fitchburg, May 7, 1838.
To THE Anti-Slavert Convention or American Women: —
Dear Friends : — At the last meeting of the Female Anti-Slavery Society in
this place, it was thought desirable that you should receive some expression of our
remembrance of you, and our feelings with regard to your Convention. Although
llie limited state of our funds renders it impossible for any of our number to join
you, yet in thought we shall be with you, and the prayers of your sisters of tlijs
Society will ascend to Him who hears and answers prayer, tliat you may have a
joyful meeting, that the result of it may be the enlargement and purifying of your
own minds, the elevation of the female character, and the general advancement of
the cause of equal rights .
The tongue of calumny is indeed busy, butgo on, dear sisters, in j'our labor of love.
The time is coming when the benefits resulting from this friendly interchange of
tliought and feeling will be justlj' appreciated. They are so even now by many, veiy
many ; but when the last fetter shall have been broken, and the oppressed are free,
liien by your colored sister they will be fully realized, and in her gi-atitude you
M ill find an ample reward for all the trials you now have to encounter.
In every other department of philanthropy we are told in flattering terms of fe-
male influence — and woman is represented as a ministering angel relieving the dis-
tressed, and comforting the afflicted; but the Anti-Slavery cause in which it would
seem every feeling of humanity would impel us to be active — this we are told does
not come within our •• appropriate sphere of labor," and we must be inactive. But
shall it be ? Shall we stand calmly by and see the outrages daily committed on
our defenceless sisters, pining in hopeless misery ? '' When woman's heart is bleed-
ing, shall woman's voice be hushed ?" Oh no, it cannot, must not be. Be firm of
heart, then, dear sisters — let your faith be strong — your courage and zeal increased,
and you will receive the richest of heaven's blessings, and be instrumental in speed-
ing onward that liappy day, so ardently desired by every true friend of freedom,
when the arm of oppression shall be broken, and the outraged slave rise to the dig-
nity and station of a man.
It may be interesting to you to know something respecting the state of our So-
ciety. At your last Convention it consisted of thirty members ; we now have one
hundred. You will perceive by this that our course has been onward, and we re-
joice that it is so. Yet when we see ai-ound us so many who say, '• we are aboli-
tionists— but" — , we are grieved that they will not act for the heart-broken slave,
and " remember those in bonds as bound with them." Were it not for that unfor-
timate little monosyllable " but," there are many ladies in this village, who, by
their wealth, talents, and influence, could do much to keep the abolition car in mo-
tion.
Our members are not from the wealthier class, and we depend on our own ex-
ertions for means to assist in carrying forward this glorious enterprise. Conse-
quently our assistance must be feeble. It is indeed the " widow's mite" — yet is
given cheerfully , and we doubt not that, by Him who sees all things, it is viewed with
as much approbation as are the contributions of those who give of their abundance.
We have a small library which is doing its work silently, but surely, we hope, in
the hearts of many. * # * *
On behalf of the Fitchburg Female Anti-Slaveiy Society,
Harriet A. Kimbali., Corresponding Secretary.
54 W^
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